Staff

Andrew has spent his entire legal career representing low-income clients. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Andrew practiced as an eviction defense attorney at Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, as part of their Shriver unit. Before that, he was a legal aid attorney in Massachusetts, where he represented tenants facing eviction and homeowners facing wrongful foreclosure. Andrew received his law degree from Boston University in 2014.

J.P. Shotwell recently retired as Director, Corporate Compliance and Information Governance for Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. His principal focus was promoting an ethical and compliant culture, along with the implementation and operation of the Company’s Corporate Compliance Programs, including the Affiliate, Privacy, Disability Rights, and Government Contracting Compliance Programs. He also oversaw the enterprise Information Governance Program. He previously worked in Southern California Edison’s Washington, D.C. office, where he served as the primary liaison between SCE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and prior to that was a Senior Attorney with the company, practicing mainly before the California Public Utilities Commission. Shotwell received his B.S. in Economics from Arizona State University in 1987 and his J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1990. Shotwell is married with three children and lives in Long Beach California. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and skiing. Shotwell serves on the City of Long Beach Ethics Commission and on the Council Group of the American Bar Association’s Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Advisory Board of Military Women in Need (Foundation for Women Warriors), and on the Board of Directors of the Conference of California Public Utilities Counsel.

Thomas received his BA from Middlebury College in 2017 and graduated from UC Berkeley School of Law in 2022. After law school, he was a fellow in Public Counsel’s Opportunity Under Law project, where he worked on educational civil rights litigation related to the administration of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas then worked as a Temporary Staff Attorney in Public Counsel’s Consumer Rights and Economic Justice project, where he helped vulnerable homeowners avoid foreclosure and obtain relief from home improvement scams.

Metta Girma is a Housing Justice Fellow at Inner City Law Center. While in law school, Metta tackled juvenile justice issues by participating in the Race & Justice Clinic and handled housing and family law cases through the Moderate Means Program. She interned at Columbia Legal Services’s Ending Mass Incarceration unit during her second summer. Metta has also interned at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Legal Services NYC, assisting with asylum cases and later volunteering at the Texan border to work with unaccompanied minors. She completed a judicial externship during her third year for the Central District of California. In her free time, Metta likes to play tennis, dance and spend time at the beach. Metta holds a B.A. in Law, Societies, and Justice from the University of Washington. She also received her J.D. from the University of Washington and was a recipient of the Gates Public Service Law Scholarship.

For the last two decades, Eden integrated her/their focus on community organizing —at the intersection of political education and intergenerational healing through cultural work— with legal advocacy —from know your rights trainings to community-led legal defense strategies in abolition, immigration, and anti-displacement movement efforts. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz in 2004, Eden worked across grassroots community organizations in Oakland, CA, training youth leaders and building solidarity amongst impacted communities grounded in anti-imperialist principles. From 2011-2016, Eden attended UCLA and spent considerable time and effort organizing to build power across local grassroots and national coalitional movements, earning both their/her MA in Urban Planning with a focus on community economic development and her/their JD as part of the Critical Race Studies Program and the Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy. Clerking at Public Counsel’s Homelessness Prevention Law Project during the summer of 2015 led Eden to work at the Eviction Defense Center in Oakland, CA in 2016 and build out the Youth Anti-Displacement Cohort during the height of COVID-19. Eden is grateful and excited to return to their/her birthplace to collaborate on imagining and building out a world of loving justice and joyful liberation one chant, case, gathering, and relationship at a time.

Jeff joined Inner City Law Center as a Tenant Defense fellow in September 2022. He is a graduate of Southwestern Law school, where he received his J.D. with a concentration in Public Interest and served as the president of the Homelessness Prevention Law Project, the co-chair of the Public Interest Law Committee, the vice president of the Student Bar Association, and the treasurer of the Southwestern chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. Previously, Jeff interned at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Homeless Youth Project, the Federal Defender’s office in the Eastern District of California, and the Alternate Public Defender’s office. He also participated in Southwestern Law’s Eviction Defense Clinic in the spring of 2022. Prior to law school, Jeff received a BFA in acting from California State University, Fullerton.

Haley joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow on the Tenant Defense Project in August, 2021. While in law school at Southwestern in Los Angeles, Haley was a board member on the homelessness prevention law project student association, which sparked her interest in pursing a legal career defending tenants from eviction. As a student, Haley worked in family law, immigration, and employment law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brandman University and a Juris Doctorate from Southwestern, where she focused on public interest law. In her free time, Haley enjoys walking around Los Angeles with her two terrier rescues, Vin Scully and Ruth Barker Ginsburg.

Despite being a California native, Emily Wolf received her first law degree across the pond at City, University of London. She then returned to her home state and received an LLM from UCLA. After swearing into the bar in 2022, Emily worked as a Public Defender in Orange County and an eviction defense attorney at Public Counsel. Building relationships with clients and learning about their experiences has been the highlight of Emily’s career. She is excited to step into this new role with the Tenant Power Toolkit and aims to prioritize tenant empowerment and promote increased access to the courts.

Isa joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in 2023. In law school, she represented tenants facing eviction and brought affirmative cases against landlords as a member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. She supported local tenant organizing by leading Project No One Leaves, a cross-university student group that canvasses buildings to inform tenants of their rights and connect them to local organizers. She also represented clients in criminal hearings with the Harvard Defenders and was a member of the Harvard Black Law Students Association. During her law school summers, Isa was a Movement Law Intern at the Detroit Justice Center and a law clerk at the Legal Aid Society of Hawai’i. Prior to going to law school, Isa worked in California’s family court system assisting self-represented litigants, and before that focused on environmental justice work. She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University.

Sully joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September of 2025. Sully was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and is dedicated to being an advocate for marginalized communities in Los Angeles. During their time in law school, Sully was a law clerk at Disability Rights California and Disability Rights Advocates where they worked on a variety of disability rights impact litigation efforts. Sully also interned in the LA Jails Team of ACLU of Southern California, in the Mental Health Unit of the Orange County Public Defender’s Office and was a clinical student in the Criminal Justice Clinic at UCI Law. Sully is passionate about movement lawyering, disability justice, and anti-carceral organizing. Sully received her J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern California.

Randy (she/they) joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in 2025, after graduating from UC Davis School of Law. During law school, her work centered on disability justice and LGBTQ+ rights. She interned with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Disability Rights California’s Housing Stability Project, and served on the steering committee of the National Lawyers Guild UC Davis chapter, where she deepened her commitment to movement lawyering. Before law school, Randy worked as a middle school teacher and youth group facilitator. She continues to draw inspiration from that work, and her legal advocacy is rooted in a desire to help build a better world for young people. Outside of work, she loves roller skating, weightlifting, and gardening.

Katie Cannon joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2025. Katie has always been committed to social justice and working toward an equitable society. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Non-Profit Management from California Lutheran University. In 2018, she began research and development for what would become her non-profit, Empathy Responding to the Voices, focused on teaching K-12 students about mental health and empathy. Although she had to pivot when the pandemic made this venture impossible, she redoubled her efforts enrolling in law school. Katie earned her J.D. from Emory Law School. During her time there, she volunteered with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation in tenant defense, revived her school’s Child, Family, and Elder Law Society where she served as President, participated in Mock Trial, acted as Vice President of Emory’s chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, and represented children in the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic. She held numerous internship positions, but her favorite was Georgia Appleseed, a legal non-profit advocating for the basic needs of foster youth. To Katie, there is nothing more important than fulfilling the basic needs of the community, and that starts with families maintaining stable housing.

Patricia De La Hoya-Velez (She/Her/Ella) is a Housing Justice Fellow at Inner City Law Center. Patricia holds a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Philosophy with specialization in Law, Ethics, and Politics from the University of Nevada- Reno and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Michigan State College of Law. During law school, Patricia interned with the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Disability Rights Program, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), and Latino Justice PRLDF. Prior to law school, Patricia focused on community organizing and intersectional advocacy and worked for Bernie 2020, Planned Parenthood Political Action, and Feminist Majority. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and is a first-generation low-income woman of color with disabilities whose goal is to use her legal education as a tool for advocacy to honor her mother’s memory. Patricia is interested in civil rights litigation, economic justice, and liberation movements. Patricia maintains a strong determination to make a mark in the legal community and act in public service to advance justice.

Arnold J. Esqueda (he/him) is a recent J.D. graduate from Golden Gate University School of Law, where he earned a Litigation Certification and was an active member of the Moot Court Board. Arnold has a strong commitment to social justice, developed through his work at Centro Legal de la Raza and internships with the San Francisco District Attorney and Public Defender’s offices. His passion for housing justice and tenant advocacy led him to join Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow. Arnold is dedicated to using his legal skills to protect the rights of vulnerable communities and combat housing instability in Los Angeles.

Sierra Erdem received her Juris Doctor from LMU Loyola Law School in 2025, after earning a B.A. in Communications, with minors in Ethnic Studies, Law and Society, and Dance, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2022. Her interdisciplinary interests in art, rhetoric, and intersectional legal advocacy allowed her to engage with a range of civil and human rights issues, solidifying her passion for the fields. During law school, Sierra focused on advocating for vulnerable communities. She participated in Loyola’s Rights In Systems Enforced (RISE) Legal Clinic, representing survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes in civil, criminal, and immigration matters. In her final year, she advocated before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of Loyola’s International Human Rights Practicum. Sierra also combined her interests in art and law through serving two years as Arts Editor for Loyola’s Interdisciplinary Journal of Public Interest Law (LIJPIL). She will be joining Inner City Law Center in September 2025 as a Housing Justice Fellow.

Sarah graduated from Southwestern Law School in 2025, receiving her J.D. with a concentration in Public Interest. During her time there, she served as Co-Chair of the Public Interest Law Committee, Student Advisor to the Board of the Homelessness Prevention Law Project, and was selected as a Judge Harry Pregerson Fellow for the 2024-2025 school year. She also spent her time volunteering with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Bet Tzedek. Sarah’s dedication to housing rights is exemplified by her previous work at Inner City Law Center, externing on both the Lawyers Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project and Tenant Defense Project. To further expand her experience in the public interest sector, she also externed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Legal Unit and the Los Angeles LGBT Center through Southwestern’s Asylum Law Clinic. Sarah believes in the power of the community, and feels incredibly grateful for the chance to contribute to such important and life-changing advocacy.

Alex (he/him) joined Inner City Law Center in 2025 after graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law. He grew up in Simi Valley, CA and received his B.A. in Sociology and History of Public Policy/Law from UC Santa Barbara in 2021. Prior to joining ICLC, Alex’s legal work has focused extensively on transgender rights and disability justice, including a handful of pro bono projects and externships with social justice organizations like the Homeless Action Center of Alameda County, ACLU of Northern California, and Disability Rights California. He also was an Editor-in-Chief of the Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice. Alex is committed to using his law degree to pursue justice and equality with an intersectional lens, and he looks forward to expanding housing access with ICLC.

Sahar joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2025. In law school, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Law Review and specialized in Critical Race Studies and Public Interest Law and Policy. She managed financial operations for El Centro Legal Clinics as Financial Director, co-led the UCLA chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, and counseled tenants in housing disputes while serving as the Co-Chair of the Tenants Rights Clinic. Before law school, Sahar worked as a project manager in digital media and earned three business degrees through the World Bachelor in Business program (USC, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi). She holds a J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Harriet Joya graduated from Southwestern Law School in 2025 and earned her B.A. in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara, where she developed a deep interest in how social systems shape people’s lives and access to resources. Growing up in Koreatown, Harriet witnessed firsthand the challenges of housing insecurity, which inspired her commitment to advocating for tenants’ rights. During law school, she gained extensive experience in eviction defense through clinical work, researched housing and tenants’ rights issues, and developed skills in trauma-informed advocacy. She looks forward to advancing ICLC’s mission of securing housing and stability for vulnerable communities.

Xandrie (Alexandra) Martinez is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley School of Law, where she was active member with the Women of Color + Collective, Queer Caucus, and treasurer of La Alianza. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Washington. Her commitment to public interest law is shaped by her experiences growing up in Southern California and working with immigrant and working-class communities. While in law school, she deepened her interest in housing and social justice work through internships with the East Bay Community Law Center’s Housing and Clean Slate Units, and volunteer work with the Police Review Project and the Name and Gender Change Workshop. Xandrie came to Inner City Law Center to continue building power with directly impacted communities and fight for housing justice through movement-driven legal advocacy.

Meena Morar joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2024 after graduating with their J.D. from UC Davis School of Law. While in law school, Meena served as a co-director for both the Lambda Law Students Association and Gender and Name Change Project with a passion to build queer community and promote radical trans joy. Meena has also interned at Legal Services of Northern California, East Bay Community Law Center, and Alameda County Public Defender’s Office in the Sacramento/Bay Area. At their core, Meena believes that community organizing and holistic care are the only ways to be a good advocate. Prior to law school, Meena received their B.A. in American Studies with a minor in Journalism from Georgetown University in 2021. In their free time, Meena loves to watch the sunset and get over invested in tv characters’ lives.

Lee is from Middle Tennessee and a graduate at Belmont University College of Law. Lee has been involved in the housing justice movement in the South since 2017. While at Belmont, Lee helped organize Belmont’s first ever Habitability Clinic. Lee has won Belmont Law’s Inaugural Heart of Public Service Award and has been named the 2025 Tennessee Bar Association Law Student Volunteer of the year. Lee joined ICLC looking to dedicate his legal career for the advancement of tenant’s rights.

Jimi (he/him) joined Inner City Law Center (ICLC) as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2024. At law school, Jimi represented clients in a hearing against the United States in front of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, worked with unionized laborers in a variety of industries across Los Angeles as a clinical student for UNITE-HERE Local 11, worked on several unionization campaigns as a legal intern at Bush Gottlieb, and was a founding member and chair for the UCLA chapter of the People’s Parity Project. Jimi was also a legal intern at ICLC during his first summer at law school. Jimi is passionate about client-centered, grassroots lawyering that empowers the working class, and views housing rights as fundamental to the fight for worker power. Jimi holds a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and a B.S. from West Point. Jimi and his wife Ida have a cat, Bobby McGee, and a dwarf lionhead rabbit, Iggy Hop.

Emma Quinn joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2024. While in law school, Emma deepened her commitment to housing justice and civil rights advocacy through clerkships at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, the Law Office of Carol A. Sobel, and Schonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes, LLP. She also participated in Loyola Law School’s Civil Rights Litigation Practicum and Homeless Rights Advocacy Practicum. Through the latter, she had the opportunity to collaborate with the ACLU of Southern California’s Dignity for All Project, contributing to a white paper advocating for a constitutional amendment to establish housing as a fundamental human right in California. Additionally, Emma was a production editor on the Entertainment Law Review, and an active member of the Public Interest Law Foundation. Emma earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School, and her B.A. from Framingham State University in Massachusetts.

Giselle Rojas joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2025 after graduating from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. She attended law school to help and fight for our underserved communities, with her passion for housing justice growing after taking Loyola’s Homeless Rights Advocacy Practicum and LGBTQ+ Advocacy courses. During law school, she was also a member of Loyola’s Scott Moot Court Honors Board and competed on the National Moot Court team. Her dedication to protecting housing rights began as an undergraduate, where she studied political science and volunteered at a local church for four years in preparing and serving meals to those experiencing food insecurity. In her free time, Giselle enjoys going to bookstores and record collecting.

Arturo Samaniego (He/Him) joined Inner City Law Center in September 2025. Arturo graduated with a BA in English and History from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. He recently received his JD from the University of California, Irvine, this past May as part of the class of 2025. During his time at UCI, Arturo engaged in a variety of pro bono projects and summer clerkships with organizations such as the Public Law Center, and Community Legal Aid of SoCal, in order to provide low income litigants with assistance in navigating a variety of legal issues ranging from responding to unlawful detainers to filing unpaid wage claims. During his time at UCI Arturo also participated in UCI’s workers’ rights clinic and was the community outreach chair for UCI’s Latinx Law Students Association. Arturo looks forward to continue working on behalf of low-income and underrepresented communities.

Isha joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2025. During law school, Isha deepened her commitment to housing and social justice while interning with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County’s eviction defense team and ACLU of Southern California’s Economic Justice team. She also spent a semester in Washington, D.C., clerking with the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. In her free time, she enjoys bouldering and exploring different neighborhoods in her hometown of Los Angeles. Isha received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Public Affairs from UCLA.

Grace joined Inner City Law Center as a Housing Justice Fellow in September 2025 after working as a Staff Attorney at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to law school, she was a math and special education teacher in New York City’s alternative school district where she taught many students who experienced housing insecurity and homelessness. While in law school, she represented tenants in eviction proceedings as an intern at the Legal Aid Society. She also worked with individuals returning from incarceration at the Fortune Society and conducted policy research on New York City’s Fair Chance for Housing Law, which prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their criminal history. In addition to this housing work, Grace represented high school students in suspension hearings, worked with incarcerated individuals seeking resentencing under New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, and assisted with litigation against schools that unlawfully segregated students of color and students with disabilities. Grace obtained her B.S. at Cornell University and her J.D. at Brooklyn Law School. In her free time, Grace enjoys running and training for races.

Annie joined Inner City Law Center as a housing Justice fellow in September 2024. After working in environmental justice law, local campaigns and legislative offices in San Francisco during law school, she realized that stable housing is a crucial prerequisite to achieving justice in other spaces. At the legal aid of Sonoma county, Annie worked on a variety of eviction litigation cases that dealt with illegal lockouts, invalid notices, and warranty of habitability breaches. As an undergraduate, she studied sustainable food systems before moving to Basque Country to teach English full time. In her free time, you can find Annie doing her friends’ nails as an uncertified nail technician, or at her local flea market.

Nathan (he/him) joined ICLC as a Housing Justice Fellow in 2024 after graduating from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. While in law school, he worked on environmental justice issues at the California Attorney General’s Office, Earthjustice, and the UCI Environmental Law Clinic. Nathan also worked pro bono, helping refugees with their humanitarian parole applications and working with communities in the fight for cleaner air. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and running with his dog, Zoe.

Thomas joined Inner City Law Center as a Senior Paralegal in the Tenant Defense Project in May 2024. He was born and raised in Claremont, California. He attended Rice University in Houston, Texas where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in English and Biochemistry. After graduating, Thomas became a 10th grade English teacher at a charter school system that served Houston’s underserved communities. After two years teaching, Thomas entered the world of business immigration – helping employers, their noncitizen employees, and family members apply for and receive life- transforming benefits, including work visas, work permits, permanent residency, and citizenship. However, Thomas has always remembered his time as a teacher, and now returns to a role that more actively promotes social justice and equity in the Los Angeles community he calls home.

Naima joins Inner City Law Center as a Paralegal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in Human Rights from CUNY Huner College. Her interest in immigration and foreign policy was shaped by her family’s history in Argentina and her work with unaccompanied migrant youth at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), where she focused on obtaining special immigrant juvenile status and green cards. She also contributed to Amnesty International’s Individuals at Risk Program, advocating for persecuted individuals and engaging in legislative outreach in Washington D.C. Naima has volunteered with Make the Road NY to support immigrants in preparing for citizenship exams. With 10 years of experience in the service industry, she brings a strong commitment to supporting low income, vulnerable families in Los Angeles. 

Neri joined Inner City Law Center as a paralegal in the Tenant Defense Project in April 2021. He attended UCLA where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He worked in the education field as a consultant for first generation prospective college students and then as a substitute teacher in lower income communities. He observed a lack of social equity during his time in education and decided to obtain training in the legal field in an effort to make a difference. He obtained his paralegal certificate with distinction from UCLA Extension and hopes to take everything he learned to provide social justice and equity to individuals who are more often than not marginalized.

Jeniffer joins Inner City Law Center as a Paralegal. Born and raised in Santa Clarita, CA, she is a proud daughter of immigrants who inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to advancing equity in the legal system. She graduated from UCLA as a first-generation transfer student, earning a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change. Prior to joining ICLC, she worked as a Fellow for JusticeCorps where she assisted self-represented litigants in navigating complex legal matters at the Antelope Valley Courthouse. Through this experience, she gained a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding eviction cases. Jeniffer’s dedication to uplifting underserved communities makes her excited to join the Tenant Defense team and contribute to ICLC’s effort toward preventing and ending homelessness.

Eduardo, who also goes by Eddie, graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a B.S. in Biology, and a minor in Political Science. Eduardo developed a passion for helping disadvantaged communities while working with low-income first-generation students at his university through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). In his work with California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), he supported rural communities with information and resources for education, labor, and housing rights. Additionally, Eduardo is a fellow of the Legal Education Access Pipeline (LEAP), he advocates for environmental, LGBTQ, disability, and educational issues, and he hopes to one day become the first person in his family to become an attorney and continue to support and serve marginalized groups.

Jaqueline is a first-generation law school graduate and proud daughter of immigrants. She was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. She holds a master’s degree in History from California State University Los Angeles and her J.D. from Southwestern Law School. While in law school, she was a board member of the Latino/a Law Students Association, the Student Bar Association, and was a fellow for the Judge Harry Pregerson Public Service Fellowship. In 2021, she had the opportunity to work on the Policy Team at Inner City as a summer law clerk. This experience taught her the important connection between policy work and direct services. During her last semester of law school, she had the privilege of being a clinical student in the newly formed Eviction Defense Clinic in conjunction with Inner City, where she dived into learning about housing law and worked with clients. She is excited to return to Inner City as a TDP Fellow and looks forward to continue growing her passion for housing justice.

Sevitha is a Paralegal Trainee who joined Inner City Law’s Tenant Defense Project in 2023. She received her B.A. from the University of Southern California in 2018 and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 2023. During law school, Sevitha worked with the BU Criminal Law Clinic as a 3:03 Student Attorney and represented clients going through the criminal legal system. She also served as an editor on the International Law Journal and as president of the Public Interest Law Society. She spent her 1L summer as a judicial intern in the Eastern District of New York and her 2L summer as an intern at an immigration non-profit in Boston.

Previously serving as the Director of Development at The LeaderShop, Amerald leveraged her experience in project management and fundraising to drive impactful initiatives. With a background as a Case Manager at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, she developed a deep understanding of legal processes and support for individuals facing housing instability. Her strong foundation in community organizing and policy analysis will enhance efforts to empower marginalized communities. Amerald’s heart for advocacy provokes her long-term goal of pursuing a Juris Doctorate to further amplify her impact in this vital work.

Lili Herrera began her work in direct services over 20 years. Lili is experienced in working with high risk, system impacted and unhoused communities. In 2017, Lili started working with men and women coming home from long term incarceration within a shelter based program, her dedication and passion has led her to assist in developing programs and services, enhancing resources and program service delivery. In 2004, Lili received the Los Angeles Police Department – Central Division – Volunteer of the Year award for her contribution to LAPD’s Juvenile Impact program, a first offender diversion prevention and intervention program. Lili facilitated a gender specific psycho-educational weekly support groups to formerly incarcerated women at Homeboy Industries. Ms. Herrera is published in the areas of violence prevention. She Co-Authored the following Peace Over Violence publications: Gangs & Domestic Violence Nexus – Los Angeles City Attorney Office Training Manual; In Touch With Teens: A Relationship Violence Prevention Curriculum, 2nd Ed. (2008); Be Strong: From The Inside Out, An Asset-Based Health Promotion & Violence Prevention Curriculum (2010). Ms. Herrera also contributed to the publication, Exposure to Partner, Family and Community Violence: Gang-Affiliated Latina Women and Risk of Unintended Pregnancy Journal of Urban Health – Bulleting of The New York Academy of Medicine, Volume 83 Number 1 (January/ February 2006). The inspiration and the driving force behind her work are her three sons, grandsons and granddaughter.

Katherine Reyes joined ICLC as a Housing Navigator in January 2023. Prior to joining, Katherine was working as a Case Manager for The Salvation Army, where she helped clients experiencing chronic homelessness obtain permanent housing and stabilization. She also assisted with prevention and diversion in cases where individuals were at risk of being evicted or losing their homes. Other non-housing related tasks included helping clients work towards mental and substance abuse needs using trauma informed and harm reduction approaches.

Katherine’s interest in ICLC stems from her passion for the law and helping the most vulnerable. In the year of 2020, she was a part of the yearlong Munger Tolles and Olson Law fellows’ program where she received extensive knowledge and guidance from mentor attorneys on how to navigate legal procedures and commence the law school process. In 2021, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from California State University, Northridge. Her goal is to continue her education by going to law school. She first wishes to grow in her role and plans to eventually take on the vow of becoming an attorney to represent and continue to help those in need.

Kevin Arauz grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. He holds a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley. Kevin previously worked in the affordable housing field for several years. His engagement with tenant-focused community work in Los Angeles has deepened a sense of connection to his neighborhood and impressed upon him the ability of working-class Angelenos to defend their homes and navigate a complicated, challenging system with courage and generosity.

In his free time, Kevin enjoys birding, especially along the Los Angeles River and in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills. His favorite bird is the hooded merganser, a regular winter-time visitor that can spotted in the LA river.

Giulia Bencivenga joined Inner City Law Center in November 2023 as the Project Coordinator for the Tenant Defense Project. Prior to joining ICLC, Giulia’s passion for housing justice led her to work at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority as a Performance Management Analyst, where they supported the Interim Housing team. In their free time, Giulia enjoys writing poetry, reading critical theory, hosting literary readings, and hiking around Los Angeles with their pit bull.

Fernanda joined Inner City Law Center as an administrative clerk in the Tenant Defense Project in August 2021. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Italian. She is passionate about advocating for marginalized and underrepresented communities. Prior to Inner City Law Center, she worked at Downtown Women’s Center as a services coordinator where she connected unhoused women with the services needed and provided crisis support. Fernanda wants to attend law school to continue to help people that need it the most.

Marybell joined Inner City Law Center in 2022. Prior to joining ICLC, she was an office administrator for a subcontracting business in Inglewood, and a community advocate for South Central tenants’ union after graduating from USC with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her role as an administrator was to assist with the organization of public housing project’s documents for general contractor clients. Her involvement with Tenants Union built her awareness with housing issues in Los Angeles, which inspired her to join the Tenant Defense project to help low income/POC communities facing housing insecurity to access their right for legal representation. She aspires to study law and represent those who are vulnerable to predatory practices. Marybell grew up in South Los Angeles and currently resides in Koreatown. In her spare time, Marybell enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Mateo will join the Inner City Law Center as an Administrative Clerk, bringing a background in community advocacy, case management, and operations coordination. A graduate of UC San Diego with a B.S. in Human Biology (2020), Mateo’s passion for justice was shaped early by his upbringing in Hayward, California, where he witnessed firsthand the impacts of housing instability within his immigrant community and family. Before joining ICLC, Mateo served as the Empowerment Programs Operations Coordinator at Eden United Church of Christ, where he supported underserved communities through initiatives addressing food insecurity, healthcare access, and legal navigation for newly arrived immigrants. This role deepened his commitment to equitable resource distribution and strengthened his skills in administration, case management, and grassroots advocacy. Driven by the belief that housing is a right, not a privilege, Mateo is eager to contribute to ICLC’s mission by ensuring tenants have the support and representation they deserve. He aspires to grow as a leader within the organization, bridging gaps between communities and legal services while fostering trust and relatability. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, and now based in Anaheim with plans to move to Los Angeles, Mateo balances his advocacy work with volleyball games with friends and caring for his two frenchies, Puma and Toro, and his two axolotls, Canicas and Ajo, and exploring Southern California’s food spots and beaches with his wife.

Brenda is joining Inner City Law Center after having most recently served as Operations Manager for New Age Global Trucking, Tesla’s top carrier in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role, she played a pivotal part in the company’s growth, leading and developing teams that ensured seamless logistics operations. Prior to that, Brenda worked as a dedicated teacher’s aide for Special Education students at Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, where she provided vital academic and emotional support, fostering a nurturing environment for students to thrive. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active by going to the gym and doing other outdoor activities. Brenda is looking forward to the opportunity to support ICLC’s mission of ensuring affordable and habitable housing to individuals residing in Los Angeles.

Dahlia was born and raised in Los Angeles and is passionate about helping vulnerable individuals. Before starting her work in the non-profit sector, she worked in promotions and marketing for iHeartRadio and game day marketing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior to Inner City Law Center, she was a Legal Assistant at Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice for three years. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a  B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Spanish Language. She wants to continue helping her community to have access to legal services and for them to know they are not alone. Dahlia loves sports, going on walks, coffee shops, hanging out with friends and traveling.

Alexsandra joined the Inner City Law Center in April of 2023 as an Administrative Clerk with the Tenant Defense Project. Alexsandra’s previous experience in the hospitality and service industries have strengthened her ability to communicate and build relationships with the public which have greatly prepared her for this role. Alexsandra is a recent California State University of Fullerton graduate with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, and she is very excited to be kicking off her career path. Throughout the course of her education, Alexsandra focused her research on finding injustices and inequalities within our criminal justice system and possible solutions and alternatives to this broken system. Alexsandra also sees the importance in community building and advocacy and strongly believes that housing should be a right, which is what brought her to the Inner City Law Center. While Alexsandra is just getting started, she is hopeful to develop a happy career in the public service sector helping to strengthen the Los Angeles community and plans to continue her advocacy work for injustices everywhere.

Originally from New Mexico, Marty has always been passionate about human rights and advocacy through direct action and journalism. She is a recent graduate of LMU, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology and minor in English on a full-ride scholarship. During Marty’s undergraduate studies, she participated in expansive campus organizing through various student justice coalitions and efforts- strengthening her abilities to build relationships and promote positive change. Her recent summer internship with the LACW and Skid Row’s Hippie Kitchen allowed her to gain firsthand experience supporting unhoused individuals, deepening her strong belief that housing and community are fundamental human rights. Marty is thrilled to kick off her career with ICLC in a justice-oriented sector and looks forward to growing in a field protecting the rights of those who are systematically targeted. She is committed to uplifting communities through direct support, and she hopes to continue her advocacy work both inside and outside of the workplace.

Laura Saiz is a Senior Staff Attorney with Inner City Law Center’s Lawyers Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Laura was an attorney for the New Jersey Office of the Public Dender in the adult criminal trial section where she handled a wide variety of felony-level cases from inception through trial/disposition. Upon moving back home to Los Angeles, (Laura hails from the Valley), she practiced in both criminal and civil litigation firms in the private sector.

Laura graduated from Vassar College where she received a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. After college she served as an AmeriCorps member for two years aiding first generation, low-income students get into and graduate from college in Texas. She then attended the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. While in law school she was an intern for the Innocence Project, a non-profit legal organization that seeks to exonerate those who have been wrongly convicted using DNA testing and the Legal Aid Society in their criminal defense project. Laura is extremely passionate about and dedicated to serving and zealously advocating for her clients and community.

Derrick is a 2023 graduate of UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and joined ICLC’s Tenant Defense Project as a Housing Justice Fellow. During law school, Derrick externed at the Legal Assistance to the Elderly in the bay area assisting individuals and families going through the eviction process. He spent his 1L summer at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles assisting individuals gain access to SSI and SSDI benefits. In his 2L summer, Derrick worked at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office assisting in indigent criminal defense. Derrick holds a BA in Philosophy from UC Berkeley and a JD from UCLaw San Francisco.

Tarina is a Senior Paralegal with the Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project at the Inner City Law Center. Prior to joining ICLC, Tarina was a legal fellow with the Deported Veterans Advocacy Project of Veterans for Peace, assisting deported US Veterans and refugees in Tijuana, Mexico obtain access to housing/shelter, food and water as they awaited repatriation and asylum to the US. Throughout law school, she worked as a paralegal for civil rights attorney Glenn Katon, representing victims of police brutality and prisoner abuse in Federal Court; and as a summer law clerk with the Homeless Action Center (Berkeley, CA), Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (San Francisco, CA) and the Texas Civil Rights Project (Austin, TX). Tarina received her BA in Race & Class Studies from Antioch University Seattle, and JD from San Francisco Law School.

Kimberly is a Paralegal Trainee for the Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project at Inner City Law Center. She recently graduated from Dartmouth College with a major in Government Modified with Philosophy and a minor in Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequalities. Prior to joining ICLC, she interned at the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies where she assembled a country conditions toolkit for Fear-of-Return Claims based on violence against women in Mexico to be used as evidence in asylum cases. Additionally, she interned at UnCommon Law, a law firm that focuses on trauma-informed advocacy within California’s discretionary parole process. Born and raised in Boyle Heights, she is excited to help the team make meaningful impact in her community and gain further experience in public interest law. In her free time, she loves dancing, reading, and annoying her cat!

Zitlalli is a first-generation college graduate from UC Irvine, where she earned a B.A. in Social Policy and Public Service and a B.A. in Political Science. Her passion for social justice and advocacy is shaped by her upbringing in Boyle Heights. Zitlalli is intentional about working with organizations dedicated to advancing social justice. She previously interned with Human Rights First, supporting their efforts to provide pro bono representation for refugees seeking asylum. She has also worked with the ACLU of Northern California, empowering young leaders to drive social change, and most recently served as a Policy and Administration fellow for the City and County of San Francisco. In her free time, she volunteers with HeadCount to help concert attendees register to vote, tutors students in reading and is learning how to DJ. Zitlalli will continue to passionately advocate for social justice as she joins the Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project at Inner City Law Center.

Shelsea (she/they) joined Inner City Law Center in July 2024 as a Project Coordinator. They graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Feminist Studies. Following her undergraduate studies, Shelsea engaged in mass defense work as the Community and Membership Engagement Advocate for the National Lawyers Guild of Los Angeles (NLG-LA) where she managed the organization’s Legal Observer Program, which is a part of a comprehensive system of legal support designed to enable activists to express their political views without harassment or having their rights violated by the police. Shelsea strongly advocates for utilizing an intersectional approach in her social impact work to tackle systemic social issues effectively.

Martin is currently a student at East Los Angeles College training to obtain his license in Respiratory Therapy. However, with experience working in community outreach and development, Martin also wished to continue pursuing his passion of working with low income communities and helping others. This is what drew Martin to Inner City Law Center when initially brought on as a temporary associate and his reason for eagerly accepting the opportunity to be a part of the Inner City Law Center team permanently. He hopes to continue his growth at ICLC and help provide greater resources to his community through his work.

Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Charles worked as an Appellate Case Briefer for the Daily Journal Corporation. In 2019, he graduated from Loyola Law School where he participated in several clinical experiences. Charles was a certified law student at the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy and a member of the International Human Rights Clinic. Charles is a Los Angeles Native and grew up in the East San Gabriel Valley.

Abbey joined Inner City Law Center’s Homeless Veterans Project in September of 2018 as an Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by Kirkland & Ellis, LLP and Raytheon. Her fellowship project is to develop a medical-legal partnership with the Center of Excellence clinic at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and join the primary care physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers on the team there to provide holistic care to the clinic’s homeless patients. During law school, Abbey served as the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles fellow with Inner City Law Center’s Homeless Veterans Project, where she assisted women veterans in their claims for VA benefits and discharge upgrades. She was also a student attorney in the Michigan Innocence Clinic and interned at Legal Services of South Central Michigan. She earned both her B.A. in Psychology and her J.D. from the University of Michigan.

Cheryl is a staff attorney with ICLC’s Homeless Veterans Project. After earning her B.S. in Biopsychology from the University of Maryland, she worked as a clinical case manager for a homeless outreach organization in New York City. It was there that she was inspired to go to law school after receiving an unforgettable pep-talk from a client. She moved back to the Washington, DC area to study law at Howard University. She participated in the law school’s civil rights clinic and volunteered at free legal clinics throughout the Washington, DC area. With this newfound passion for advocacy, she spent several years working as an assistant public defender and a landlord-tenant attorney in the State of Maryland. In 2018, Cheryl relocated to California to be closer to her siblings. Prior to joining ICLC, she worked as a staff attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco from 2018 to 2023.

Elaine graduated the University of San Diego, School of Law in 2021 and recently joined ICLC as a Staff Attorney with the Homeless Veterans Project. During law school, in addition to her private sector clerkships, she externed for the United States Postal Service and was a research assistant for several professors. Her favorite experience, however, was her pro bono work at the San Diego Clean Slate Clinic, where she developed a love for representing the underserved. She helped her clients navigate through the expungement process and secure housing, education, and employment.

In her free time, she is heavily involved at the food bank, where she works closely with project coordinators to improve the organization’s internal processes and increase its impact on the community. During tax season, she also volunteers as part of the VITA program, ensuring low-income clients get the tax help they need.

Benjamin Phillips joined Inner City Law Center in 2021 as a Housing Justice Fellow in ICLC’s homeless veterans project. From 2020-2021, he clerked for Senior U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn O. Silver in Phoenix, Arizona. In law school, Benjamin interned with the United States Department of Justice, Public Counsel, and the Homeless Action Center. He served as a research assistant for Dean Erwin Chemerinsky. Prior to law school, Benjamin was an AmeriCorps member with City Year Los Angeles at UCLA Community School, teaching and mentoring ninth grade students. He also clerked for Mental Health Advocacy Systems and taught religious school at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. He earned his B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Southern California and his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dakota graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2021 and recently joined ICLC as a Staff Attorney with the Homeless Veterans Project. During law school, Dakota served as an AmeriCorps intern with Iowa Legal Aid where she focused on housing and veterans’ issues. She also served as a law clerk at the Veterans Legal Institute where she worked on discharge upgrades and veterans’ benefits cases. She assisted on two veterans’ appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Dakota was the Editor in Chief for the Journal of Gender, Race & Justice. After law school, Dakota was a law clerk for Hon. Thad J. Collins, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Redlands.

Sydney joined Inner City Law Center in August of 2021 as a paralegal on the Homeless Veterans Project. Prior to joining the team, Sydney graduated from UC Riverside where she obtained a B.A. in Psychology. During her time at UCR, Sydney worked for her campus’ wellness center as the President of External Affairs for Active Minds where she created and oversaw the implementation of campus-wide mental health programs. Additionally, Sydney worked as President’s Office Intern with the National Organization for Women in Washington D.C. where worked on campaigns to change policy for women nationwide. After her graduation, Sydney worked as a community organizer for Gente Organizada where she led and organized Pomona community members around campaigns focused on improving the conditions of Pomona, CA’s immigrant, low-income community. Through her time with Gente, Sydney saw the impact the law could have on the lives of historically disenfranchised communities. This inspired her to receive her A.S. in Paralegal Studies from Mt. San Antonio College. Sydney looks forward to continuing her work in uplifting, assisting, and advocating for marginalized communities.

Ruth is a Central American Latina who grew up in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles. Prior to joining the Homeless Veterans team, she graduated from the University of California, Merced where she obtained a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Political Science. After graduating, she worked with CARECEN (Central American Resource Center) where she joined the Survivors of Violence team in helping a large low-income population obtain legal status. Her time at CARECEN allowed her to value work centered around the Los Angeles community and specifically with helping folks obtain as many resources as possible. She hopes to continue empathetically being an asset and a voice to those around her.

Karen is a 2024 graduate of Southwestern Law School, graduating with a Public Interest Law concentration. She previously externed with ICLC’s Homeless Veterans team and participated in the Eviction Defense Clinic at Southwestern. Karen is dedicated to working with Angelenos in need and previously worked at the Central American Resource Center, assisting undocumented victims of crime and at Wage Justice Center, helping to combat wage theft in the construction industry. She is passionate about providing needed legal representation to help marginalized communities achieve the justice and equity they deserve and is excited to continue her advocacy with ICLC. Karen grew up in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles and in her free time enjoys going to the movies and baking.

Adela recently joined ICLC as the Project Coordinator for the Homeless Veterans Project. After careers in both the finance industry and as a fashion buyer, she learned about ICLC through a panel she listened in on during the pandemic where ICLC attorneys discussed housing as a human right and shared tremendous success stories. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the vital services ICLC continues to provide, and to work alongside colleagues who are similarly motivated to fight for our community and fair representation for all.

Betty (she/her) joined Inner City Law Center in February 2023. Before this, she worked at the Social Security Administration (SSA), drafting disability hearing decisions for Administrative Law Judges. Prior to SSA, she worked with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, advocating for domestic violence survivors. In the Benefits Advocacy Team, Betty strives to combine her direct services experience and social security disability law knowledge to successfully help vulnerable community members obtain much needed benefits.

Betty’s time as an undergraduate at UCLA motivated her to become a lawyer. When she saw attacks on affirmative action, and immigrant rights, and learned more about sweatshop labor, and the exploitation of low-wage workers, Betty also saw how public interest attorneys were effectively advocating for low-income, limited English proficient, communities. During law school at UC Berkeley, Betty was a law clerk with Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, assisting domestic violence survivors, and this experience provided a strong foundation for her later work at Advancing Justice.

As an individual and attorney, I’m committed to serving communities that have been silenced, discarded, and destroyed by the legal system. My passion for helping those whom the legal system disadvantages is what drove me to law school and to pursue my prior work as a public defender. I am honored to have the opportunity to continue that social justice work through my position as a Staff Benefits Attorney at the Inner City Law Center.

Alissa de Vogel is a dedicated attorney with a passion for advocating on behalf of underserved communities. Her career is rooted in public interest law, with experience spanning tenants’ rights, disability advocacy, and public benefits law. Since 2015, Alissa has specialized in helping clients secure access to critical public benefits like SSI and SSDI. A graduate of Golden Gate University School of Law, Alissa also holds a BA in History and Government from Skidmore College. She is excited to return to the dedicated team at ICLC.

Layla is a Paralegal Trainee on the Public Benefits Team at Inner City Law Center. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Layla moved to Los Angeles and worked as a teacher at the Academy of Music for the Blind in Whittier, CA. Teaching at an organization dedicated to providing services for children with a disability that so often excludes them from spaces that sighted children take for granted was an experience that will forever shape Layla’s understanding of the importance of accessibility.

Having always been passionate about the systemic inequity within our criminal justice system, Layla’s next position was with the Independent Defender Program as a program coordinator, where she was responsible for assigning defense attorneys to all indigent defendants in Los Angeles County’s central district whom neither the Public Defender’s nor the Alternate Public Defender’s offices could represent due to conflict, as well are ensuring the independently contracted defense attorneys were providing their clients with representation that was as thoughtful and dedicated as the representation they provided their private clients.

Given her prior professional experience, Layla is thrilled to be working on the Public Benefits team at ICLC where representing those without the means to afford private counsel and providing services to those with disabilities collide, and to continue working towards a world in which a person’s quality of legal representation is not diminished by their lack of privilege.

Manuel (he/him) is a Paralegal on the Public Benefits Team. Manuel previously worked in constituent services for the city of Los Angeles. Manuel is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Pedro joined Inner City Law Center as a Paralegal Trainee on the Litigation team. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Pedro worked as a housing case manager, working closely with LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities in Los Angeles. He’s assisted many undocumented black and brown folk access housing and resources throughout the city, including those at ICLC. Pedro graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A in Sociology. He’s been a part of various non-profits in both the Bay Area and Southern California, focusing on work that uplifts and transforms marginalized communities of color. He grew up in South Central LA, and strongly believes that safe, affordable housing is a right and not a privilege. Pedro is excited to join the passionate team at Inner City Law Center, who are committed to defending the rights all tenants are entitled to.

Raphael (He/Him/El) is a paralegal in the Benefits Advocacy team. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Raphael worked as a paralegal at the Public Law Center in Orange County in the Housing Unit working on eviction cases, housing choice vouchers, habitability issues, and other housing matters. Raphael received a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminology from Chester University and wants to continue advocating for the local community. Outside of work, Raphael enjoys exploring fantasy and sci-fi genres.

Henry is a Project Coordinator with Inner City Law Center’s Benefits Hearings Team. He returned to Los Angeles after spending two years in Georgia working with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation in their Safe Families Offices, assisting clients experiencing intimate partner abuse in court matters related to protective order filings. Prior to this, he worked with survivors of IPA, hate crimes, and discrimination at the Los Angeles LBGT Center after a previous position focusing on underserved victims at the LA City’s Victim Assistance Program.

Deborah joined Inner City Law Center in July 2019 as a Senior Staff Attorney in the slum housing litigation unit. A mid-westerner by birth but a Californian by choice, Deborah graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law. During law school, she volunteered with the Inmate Legal Services Clinic and served as research assistant to Professor Joseph Hoffman, a nationally recognized authority on the death penalty. Since law school, she successfully obtained political asylum for two refugees from Somalia and volunteers with LA Works. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Deborah represented aggrieved employees for more than a decade in discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower retaliation cases. Deborah is now proud to be part of the passionate team at ICLC.

Alexandra Irons (she/her) joined ICLC as a senior staff attorney with the Affirmative Litigation team. Alexandra previously represented those who were injured due to the negligence of others as plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits. She looks forward to using her skills acquired in another area of law to work with ICLC to serve the broader community struggling with housing-related challenges. Alexandra received her J.D. from Southwestern School of Law and her BA in Spanish from UCLA.

Laura joined Inner City Law Center in September 2021 as a senior staff attorney in the slum housing litigation unit. Before joining Inner City Law Center, she worked at Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, where she focused on tenants’ rights and unlawful detainer defense. She began her legal career in Alaska, where she clerked for the Alaska Superior Court and the Alaska Court of Appeals, and then worked as a staff attorney for Alaska Legal Services Corporation. She received her B.A. from Grinnell College and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Bindhu Varghese joined Inner City Law Center in April 2021. Prior to this, Bindhu served as a legal consultant and corporate attorney for start-ups, most recently consulting for a virtual platform that supports women in their careers, motherhood, and political engagement. In addition, Bindhu has defended employers and insurance carriers in matters of workers’ compensation. She is committed to using her broad experience in administrative litigation to improve the lives of Los Angeles’ most marginalized and underserved population.

Believing in the power of community discourse to create change, Bindhu advocates for more inclusive communities as a Director on the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, and currently serves on the McGeorge School of Law Diversity Board. During her time in private practice, she did pro bono work for various non-profit organizations, including ICLC. Bindhu received her Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from University of California, Berkeley, and J.D. from McGeorge School of Law.

Eric joined Inner City Law Center as a Tenant Organizer in June 2014. He became a certified Paralegal and joined the Affirmative Litigation unit in August 2015. Prior to working at ICLC, Eric interned with the Coalition for Economic Survival, where he first gained exposure to tenants’ rights and other housing issues. He later collaborated with psychologists at Cedars Sinai Medical Center on a project that helped the disenfranchised and Spanish-speaking, HIV-positive community in Los Angeles. Eric is originally from Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Occidental College in 2014 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Political Science.

Ruby joined Inner City Law Center as a Paralegal in the Slum Housing Litigation Project in May 2024. She was born and raised in Pico-Union, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. Before joining ICLC, she worked as a paralegal at Kids in Need of Defense, where she supported unaccompanied immigrant children through their legal proceedings. Ruby received a B.A. in Sociology and Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. She is passionate about helping vulnerable individuals and advocating for their rights through a strong commitment to social justice and human rights.

Jose Luis Surio joined Inner City Law Center in 2014 as a Tenant Organizer. He educates tenants about healthy housing through the Rent Escrow Account Program. As someone who grew up in similar conditions, Jose Luis can connect with our clients through those firsthand experiences. Jose is a mentor for Youth Mentoring Connections where he mentors high school students and volunteers. These experiences have empowered Jose Luis to educate others about how to live in safer housing and protect their rights as tenants.

Marcela joined Inner City Law Center January 2025 as a Tenant Organizer, driven by her passions for advocating for housing justice and strengthening underserved communities. With a BA in Geography from UCLA and extensive experience in community engagement, Marcela has collaborated with various organizations in Los Angeles on environmental and social justice initiatives. She is excited to bring her skills in advocacy and organizing to support tenants and advance equitable housing solutions in Los Angeles.  

Prior to Inner City Law Center, Amy worked for Titan Offices as the Front Desk Receptionist and as a Family Law Paralegal for Neighborhood Legal Services. Amy attended Cal State University, Northridge and majored in Social Welfare/Justice. Amy enjoys spreading awareness throughout her community and will always make sure to remind herself/others to feel the greatness in each day of life. Amy is excited to be part of Inner City Law Center where she can put all her passion and experience into action.

Darlene Flanders joined Inner City Law Center in August 2023 as a Senior Staff Attorney with the Bringing Families Home project. She was inspired to go to law school while working at a homeless drop-in center in Santa Monica. While in law school, she was co-director of the General Assistance Advocacy Project and after law school, she worked at the Homeless Advocacy Project in San Francisco, specializing in public benefits. At HAP, she focused on providing holistic services to help move people out of homelessness. She has worked in the private sector for several years and is excited to return to legal services and help people retain or gain housing.

Darlene graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics/Business and received her JD from the University of California Law, San Francisco.

Howard is a native Angeleno who believes every community member should have access to good legal counsel. Howard began his career in public interest as a post-bar law clerk at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. Prior to working at Inner City Law Center, Howard worked at Mental Health Advocacy Services (MHAS) for nearly 4 years as part of a Medical-Legal Community Partnership. At MHAS, he also helped launch a partnership with the Los Angeles Mental Health Court where he provided holistic self-help legal services to Mental Health Court litigants and their families. Howard received his B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Gloria is a Screener and Receptionist at Inner City Law Center and has been with the organization since 2006. Gloria appreciates learning from clients as well as helping them. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Gloria served as Office Clerk at Elco Lighting. Gloria has a variety of artistic skills including painting, decorating and dancing.

Roland serves as one of our receptionists/call screeners at Inner City Law Center, while also creating various logos, presentations, and other assorted graphic designs for our organization. Before joining Inner City Law Center, he was an English and Performing Arts teacher at the high school and collegiate level for more than ten years. Roland has prior experience in journalism as a reporter, editor, and graphic designer, as well as a broadcast engineer, producer, and voice actor for radio stations throughout Los Angeles. Roland earned his B.A. in Child Development from San José State University and is working towards his Master’s Degree in Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Oneida has an extensive background and experience with nearly 20 years as grants management professional in government and the nonprofit sectors, focusing on the areas of health, housing, veteran’s services, emergency management and homeland security, law enforcement and public safety. Prior to joining Inner City Law Center, Oneida served as the Development Management at QueensCare Health Centers, responsible for coordinating, managing and leading the proposal development and post award processes. Oneida received an MA in Justice Systems with a specialization in Human Rights and Discriminatory Processes from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico, and a BA in Criminal Justice from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. In addition, Oneida obtained a Paralegal Studies Program Certificate from Florida International University’s Legal Studies Institute in Miami, and served over 10 years as a senior litigation paralegal at major law firms in Puerto Rico. Oneida is passionate about her work and being able to contribute to the overall wellbeing of individuals and families in underserved communities.

Skarlette serves as the Operations Coordinator at Inner City Law Center. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, she brings a deep commitment to social justice to her role. Before joining ICLC, Skarlette worked in higher education administration and spent many years volunteering with nonprofits and engaging in grassroots community organizing. Her passion for advocacy and equity led her to Inner City Law Center, where she was drawn to the mission of fighting for stable, long-term housing for marginalized communities. Skarlette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, along with minors in Community Engagement & Social Change and Chicano/a & Central American Studies from UCLA.

Suze Nieves (She/Her/Hers) is the Data Manager with Program Operations at Inner City Law Center. She brings over six years of experience in data management, grant compliance and reporting, and nonprofit program operations. Before joining ICLC, Suze worked at Chrysalis, where she served as a Data and Grants Administrator and later as the Manager of Data Analytics, leading initiatives to improve data systems and support compliance across multiple grants. Suze was born and raised in Los Angeles’s South Bay. She earned her B.A. in Economics from UC Santa Cruz, where she was actively involved in student-led initiatives advocating for historically underrepresented communities. Her passion for social justice and commitment to serving the most vulnerable in our community drew her to ICLC because of its focus on supporting our unhoused and low-income neighbors. Outside of work, Suze enjoys running, wheel-throwing clay, and volunteering as a STAR reader at her local Los Angeles Public Library branch, where she introduces children to the joy of reading and storytelling.

Prior to Inner City Law Center, Lisa worked as a Case Manager at the Latino Resource Organization, where she helped clients who were at risk of eviction with rental assistance. Other tasks she assisted with were intakes and eligibility screenings for the organization. Lisa holds a B.A in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Long Beach.

Perfecto has been in the IT field for over three decades since after graduating from Cal State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.  He has worked as a Systems Administrator and Network Manager in various sectors such as travel, legal, higher education, entertainment, and non-profit.  He has designed, implemented and maintained many multi-site networks including overseeing the system security programs, policies, and compliance.  

Perfecto values the importance of non-profit work and ICLC’s mission. He believes in helping those who are in need and enjoys providing his knowledge to a bigger cause by creating and implementing technology solutions for our staff.

Philip was born and raised in Los Angeles. Philip has a background in working with a nonprofit organization that shares a similar mission to help the people experiencing homelessness and believe they should receive all the help needed. He is passionate about his IT skills to provide support for staff members to have no downtime that may impact the operation of their work. On his personal time, Philip likes going to the gym every day, hiking, basketball on the weekends, and video games.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Henry obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge. He has a background in working with non-profit organizations that focus on helping those in need and is passionate about using technology as a tool to support such organizations and communities. Fun fact about Henry is that he absolutely loves dancing because it allows him to express himself creatively and stay active. 

Samantha is joining Inner City Law Center after working as a Program Leader at the non-profit Think Together, providing students and low-income families with essential care services. She attends California State Polytechnic University Pomona and is studying accounting. In her spare time, she loves to go to the gym and enjoy nature.

Shaw’ne is a skilled accounting professional with over 15+ years of experience in financial management, specializing in nonprofit and grant accounting. She holds a Master’s in Accounting from Colorado State University and has a strong background in financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance. Shaw’ne has worked extensively in the nonprofit sector, including organizations focused on homeless services and community programs. She is dedicated to ensuring financial accuracy and efficiency to support mission-driven organizations like Inner City Law Center by achieving its goals.

Gabriel is a Staff Accountant at Inner City Law Center. Gabriel was born and raised in Los Angeles County. Gabriel is passionate about addressing the needs and issues of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. They have worked for several mission-driven community resource centers throughout California. Gabriel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicana/o Studies from the University of California, Davis.

Emmeline Palacios is a Sr. Grants Accountant at Inner City Law Center with a strong background managing complex federal, state, and foundation-funded grants. She has supported numerous social-impact and public-sector organizations, focusing on compliance, reporting, and responsible financial management. Emmeline is dedicated to ensuring that funding is used effectively to meet critical community needs. She looks forward to bringing her experience to ICLC.

Toni joined Inner City Law Center as a Human Resources Generalist in August of 2023. Since 2018, she has been growing her experience in the Human Resources field through positions such as Recruiting Associate, Onboarding Coordinator, HR Coordinator, and Branch Liaison. Toni holds degrees from the University of California, Irvine in Political Science and Educational Sciences.

Jessica received her M.S in Assistive Technology and Human Services at CSUN in 2023 where she also received her BA in Interdisciplinary studies and minor in Psychology. Jessica has a demonstrated history of working in the mental health care, education and human services industries. Before joining ICLC, Jessica served as a Social worker/Family Service Specialist to aide underprivileged children, families and adults with disabilities. Jessica’s history also involved collaborating with interdisciplinary and administration teams to promote and protect resident rights. With her extensive history in evaluating eligibility, obtaining psychosocial histories, and officiating care plan meetings for future intake forms, Jessica is equipped and looks forward to supporting tenants receive the adequate resources and support they need to excel. She aspires to gain as much experience in the legal field to support individuals in achieving a higher quality of life in regards to their housing situations.

Angela Bowe is a Human Resources Professional with over a decade of experience working with and for people, and managing a wide variety of HR programs, processes and functions with a high level of efficiency. Her passion is connecting with people and instilling confidence in them to ensure that they are empowered to do their jobs well. Angela has joined Inner City Law Center because she is drawn to the mission and the work of the organization. As a social justice advocate, and with experience working with activists to build power and uplift marginalized and impacted communities, Angela is so excited to be a part of the ICLC team to help continue their great work!